Neurological Symptoms and COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Colleagues,

The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to spread across the world. Patients typically present with fever, shortness of breath and cough, but some patients develop neurological sequelae, such as headache and neuroinflammatory or cerebrovascular disease, and these conditions are more frequent in patients with severe COVID-19. Effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been rapidly developed and are being administered with the aim of preventing COVID-19, stopping viral circulation and terminating the pandemic.

COVID-19 induces an inflammatory response and, in severe cases, a cytokine storm that can damage the CNS. The ability of COVID-19 to produce a cytokine storm and inflammation might be at the center of the pathogenicity of the virus; however, little is known about this virus. This Special Issue will contribute significantly to the development of anti-COVID-19 strategies by collecting and publishing innovative concepts, suggestions and research data for the identification and validation of specific drug targets and cell-mediated immunity.

In addition, patients with COVID-19 infection are at increased risk for thrombotic events as various anticoagulation regimens are now being considered for these patients, and different types of vaccines are not free from side effects and intracranial complications. Endothelial dysfunction, activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) with the release of procoagulant plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and hyperimmune responses with activated platelets seem to be significant contributors to thrombogenesis in COVID-19.

We welcome original papers, systematic reviews, and reviews on this interesting and current topic that lay emphasis on neuroinflammation, specific drug targets, hyperimmune responses and clinical neurological symptoms.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Nicola Montemurro
Dr. Luca Ricciardi
Dr. Alba Scerrati
Guest Editor

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